OUAT: The Great Thaw

Last time on “OUAT:” Storybrooke braces for the Shattered Sight curse. Elsa believes she can find her sister and Belle says that if Anna was under the curse, they might be able to make a vaccine. After a few false leads, Elsa manages to find Anna and Kristoff—they had unfrozen in Arendelle and tried to escape Prince Hans. Except Blackbeard two-timed them and threw them overboard. When they get Anna to Granny’s, they discover the fairies are gone. Under Rumple’s orders, Hook has trapped them in the hat. Everyone takes cover and braces for the worst.

Things are getting ugly in Storybrooke.


But first, we open in New York in 1982. Ingrid finds a psychic and tries to get more information about Emma from her. But she soon learns the woman is a fake when the woman guesses the special girl Ingrid is looking for is named Susan. Ingrid tells her the scroll told her the girl’s name is Emma Swan. The psychic thinks Ingrid’s bonkers. Ingrid tries to use her powers on the psychic but she can’t. So she just has to wait for Emma to come to her.

(She can smell a sucker)

In Storybrooke, everyone goes nuts. People are looting and fighting each other. Granny’s walking around with her crossbow and Happy’s chasing after Grumpy with one of his own. Happy. Ingrid walks amongst the chaos, happy to see everyone at the other’s throats.

Things are certainly hostile in the Sheriff’s office. David and Mary Margaret snipe at each other—he’s a fraud, a shepherd; she’s a spoiled brat who runs away from her problems. Anna tries to mediate but Kristoff is also affected and is taking shots at her. Emma takes care of Baby Neal while Elsa watches the citizens of Storybrooke attack each other.


Anna says she knows how to break the curse. She tells Emma and Elsa about the tale Ingrid got the idea of the mirror from. She says it ends when the people kill the king. Emma and Elsa are reluctant to kill Ingrid. They decide to go try and talk some sense into her instead. Because that’s worked so well so far, right? Anyway, Emma asks Anna to take care of her brother as well as her parents. Anna’s like “I’d rather go with you.” But she’s still left behind as Kristoff throws papers at David.

(Anna doesn't want to be left behind)

Hook arrives at Gold’s. He’s busy packing, preparing to leave town with Belle and Henry. Since Hook is heartless, he’s safe from the curse. Gold asks him to go find Henry and bring him to the shop. Hook asks what happens with the rest of the town. Gold’s response is pretty much “To hell with the town.” He’ll tell Belle and Henry that he tried to save as many as he could but it was only them. He’ll be a hero. Uh huh. I doubt that’ll go over well with Henry. Hook goes to fetch Henry.

(That's the look of smarm)

We flash to 1999, where a young Emma is bullied by one of the other foster kids. Ingrid comes in, telling the boy to give the camera back to Emma. When Ingrid leaves, the boy threatens Emma. He tells her to give him the camera in the morning or he’ll make her time there very, very unpleasant.

(She also has to give him her sweets, I bet)

That night, Emma tries to run away. But Ingrid intercepts her, offering her hot chocolate. She tells Emma that there are certain markers in children who are going to run away. Emma hit about seven of them. Emma still insists on leaving and Ingrid’s like “More hot chocolate for me.” But then she reveals the bully’s fear (spiders) and how Emma might get payback. Emma decides hot chocolate sounds good after all.

(Who in their right mind would turn down chocolate?)

Emma and Elsa find Ingrid on the street and stop her, demanding she undo the Shattered Sight spell. She says she won’t and knows their own option is to kill her. But they won’t. Emma and Elsa try to use their powers but the ribbon prevents them from doing so. Ingrid tells them to embrace it and soon they’ll love her again.

Meanwhile, Regina is throwing a tantrum in her vault. She can’t believe she’s sealed in it and blames the Savior AKA Emma. Regina stomps around and catches sight of herself in the mirror. “What the hell am I wearing?” she asks. And in a cloud of purple smoke, the Evil Queen returns. She works on a way to get out of her vault.

(All hail the Queen)

In the sheriff’s station, Mary Margaret and David are still insulting each other. Anna tries to help them remember how much they love each other but even Kristoff is getting sick of it. Mary Margaret talks about how she killed Regina’s mother and she says she didn’t mean it when she apologized. Anna decides to go stand somewhere else.

(This Snow White is terrifying)

Emma and Elsa break into Gold’s in order to use something to take the ribbons off. Nothing works. They surmise that if Ingrid’s love is keeping the ribbons on, they need to counteract it with powerful hate. Elsa says that while Emma can be prickly, she can never hate Emma. Emma decides to let the prickly comment go and suggests they go pay a visit to Regina.

Back in Minnesota, Ingrid and Emma spend the day at the fair. Emma is trying to win something at the claw machine but isn’t having much luck. Ingrid encourages her to try again. As Emma focuses, the lights flicker—the telltale sign in this show that Emma’s powers are at work. Ingrid figures this out as Emma wins a toy. Ingrid tells her that she is a special girl and will grow up to do amazing things.

Emma starts to become upset. She guesses that she’s being moved to another house, which is why Ingrid has been so nice to her all day. But Ingrid insists Emma’s not going anywhere. In fact, she’s filled out the paperwork to adopt Emma. Overjoyed, Emma hugs her and thanks her. Aww.

(Emma is thisclose to getting a family)

In Storybrooke, Emma and Elsa approach Regina’s vault. Emma experiences some difficulty breaking the seal but she manages. The Evil Queen senses her arrival and turns to face Emma. Emma then goads Regina, saying she meant to bring back Marian to ruin Regina’s happy ending. And she’s been parading her relationship with Hook around to rub it in Regina’s face. Regina hurls her magic at Emma, who makes sure it hits the ribbons. Free, she and Elsa flee before Regina goes after Emma.

(That's potent hatred)

Meanwhile, Ingrid returns to her ice cream shop. She magics away the carrot sherbet (eww) and pulls out two purple stones, like the one Pabie gave Belle. They are Elsa’s and Emma’s memories.

Uh oh.

(She looks satisfied)

Hook finds Henry and tries to get him to open the door. But Henry refuses. He tells Hook that he doesn’t like him and he doesn’t like the fact he and Emma are together. Hook’s like “Did your mother say together?” Henry rolls his eyes, refusing to budge. So Hook uses a gadget Gold gave him to undo Regina’s protection spell. When he steps inside, he slips on Henry’s marbles. It’s something straight out of Home Alone. Hook is reunited with his first love, floor, while Henry makes a run for it.

(Classic)

Standing, Hook runs into Will Scarlet. Will wants to have round three of their fight. They do so in the mayor’s office and Hook ultimately wins, though he loses track of Henry.

The Evil Queen arrives at the Sheriff’s station, looking for Emma. Instead, she finds Mary Margaret and David locked in their cells. She tells them she was looking for their daughter but she’ll start with the two idiots who started it. David protests, saying he had no part in Daniel’s death. That was all Mary Margaret. She snaps at her husband for turning her in. Anna tries to keep the peace but the Evil Queen zaps her and Kristoff away.

She then uses her magic to let Mary Margaret out of her cell but says the fight will be magic free after poofing swords for them. The two begin fighting, with David watching on.

(Things are getting interesting)

In Minnesota 1999, Ingrid and Emma walk along a street at night. Emma is still excited about her adoption. And about being special. Ingrid starts talking about magic and Emma says she wishes she had powers like Harry Potter. Ingrid tells her she does have magic. Emma thinks Ingrid has lost it. Especially when Ingrid holds her in front of a speeding car. She tells Emma to use her powers to stop it but Emma does the smart thing—she runs away. Ingrid pursues her and apologizes. She thought Emma’s magic was emerging and since a traumatic experience brought out her own powers, Ingrid thought the same would be true of Emma. Emma calls her insane and runs away.

(Oh, yeah. Definite mother of the year this one)

Off to a live of petty crime and a future romance with Neal. Only to end up pregnant and in prison. Well, at least she won’t become roadkill that way.

Let’s check in at the Sheriff’s station. The Evil Queen and Snow are still fighting. At one point, Her Majesty goes through glass. She gets up and continues fighting as David yells out. They ignore him for the most part. The Evil Queen then turns her attention to Baby Neal, who is sleeping through this. Even with the Shattered Sight, neither Nolan wants their child hurt. David starts yelling helpful things as Mary Margaret defends Neal. The Evil Queen starts to use magic and Mary Margaret realizes it’s now anything goes.

(Level Unlocked: Mama Bear)

Back in 2001, Ingrid makes her way to Maine. She uses the scroll the Apprentice gave her and it sets her in the middle of Storybrooke. And that’s how Ingrid became Sarah Fisher, ice cream shop proprietor.

(Be afraid, Storybrooke)

Ten years later, Emma walks in  to get some ice cream for Henry. She even has her season 1 curls. Emma recognizes Ingrid immediately and accuses her of stalking her. Ingrid tries to explain why she’s there but Emma’s not having it. She goes to call Graham but Ingrid uses her magic to take Emma’s memories. She catches Emma, telling her she slipped. Emma gets her ice cream and tries some rocky road, no memories of Ingrid.

(For those who miss Emma's season 1 curls)

Of course, this doesn’t explain why Emma didn’t recognize her earlier though.

On the beach, Kristoff vents his frustrations about Anna putting off their wedding. He decides to walk back to Arendelle. Anna tries to talk some sense into him, but he’s having none of it. So she uses a bottle on the beach to knock him out. It breaks the bottle, revealing the note inside. At last, she reads her mother’s last words. She talks to Kristoff before remembering he’s unconscious. She goes to find Emma and Elsa.

(He's such a great listener)

They’re back in Ingrid’s lair, ready to destroy her. She offers them their memories so that they can love her. After all, she’s only kept the good ones. The love they felt once will return. Emma and Elsa don’t bite, but they can’t destroy her either.

Anna arrives, telling them she found a letter from Gerda. In it, Gerda expresses regret for trying to get rid of Elsa’s powers and for trapping Ingrid in the urn. She instructs her daughters to release Ingrid and restore the memories of her to Arendelle. She wants Ingrid to be part of their family, even if Gerda isn’t there to be.
Ingrid doesn’t believe her. She attacks Anna and grabs the letter. But she reads it in her sister’s own hand. There is also the memory stone, which she touches. All her happy memories with her sisters come rushing back. She realizes Gerda was telling the truth. Ingrid also realizes what she’s done. She has become the monster everyone feared she was.

She says she will fix it. Emma protests, saying the only way to end the curse is Ingrid’s death. Ingrid says she understands. She’s willing to make that sacrifice. Emma, Elsa and Anna plead with her, trying to find another way. But Ingrid’s at peace. She has her sisters’ love again. That’s all she wanted, she tells Emma—who wants to give Ingrid her happy ending. So she has it. She calls back the mirror shards and they engulf her.
The Snow Queen is no more.

(This almost looks like a musical number)

Across Storybrooke, the curse breaks as it begins to snow. Doc stops slapping Dopey and apologizes. Happy and Leroy make up as well. Granny starts laughing at the absurdity of it all while Dopey tries to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

(I'm sure Dopey's glad the curse broke)

In the Sheriff’s station, Mary Margaret and Regina end their feud. Regina looks at her clothing. “What the hell am I wearing?” she asks. She then starts laughing. Mary Margaret and David join in. All is forgiven.

(Looks like we can laugh about this now rather than later)

Hook reports to Gold’s shop. He sits on a cot as Belle sleeps on. Gold berates Hook for not getting Henry and Hook’s like “Just end it.” But Gold is still determined to leave with Belle and Henry. And then he’ll crush Hook’s heart. I can’t believe Belle slept through this and didn’t hear this at all.

Morning dawns and the snow is still falling. Emma is reunited with her parents as Baby Neal finally wakes up. Henry appears from out of nowhere, hugging Regina. He then hugs Emma as Mary Margaret and David try to apologize. But they forgive each other by blaming the curse. They share a kiss in the middle of the snow covered street. Because what’s a curse if it does end with a Snowing kiss?

So there ends Shattered Sight. It was interesting to see how the spell affected the town. Mary Margaret and Regina’s fight was very well done. I hope Anna remembers she left Kristoff unconscious on the beach. And that someone unties Robin from that tree.

Next week: Farewells! Villainesses!

Screen caps from here.